By Kaustav Bera

The World Cup winner has backed the decision of the Brazilian FA to appoint the former Chelsea manager to replace Mano Menezes...

Juninho Paulista backed his former manager Luiz Felipe Scolari to lead the Seleção back to glory at the 2014 World Cup to be held in Brazil.

The 39-year old won the World Cup ten years back under Scolari and believes that the latter has all the credentials to be successful again.

"Scolari is the perfect choice to manage Brazil. The national team is not as good as it was before. He and (Carlos Alberto) Parreira are brilliant managers. He has already won the World Cup once and I’m sure he would turn the team around,” said Juninho, who is in India to participate in an exhibition game.

"Whenever the national team plays, there is a lot of pressure on the players. Now that the World Cup is at home, there is even more pressure on the players. So it will be difficult for the players,” he added.

The former Middlesbrough player stated that Lionel Messi is the frontrunner to win the FIFA Ballon dOr award but reminded the fans to not forget the importance of his team-mates at Barcelona.

“Messi is the best player in the world now and he can easily win a fourth Ballon d’Or. However you must also remember the immense contribution in his effectiveness by the likes of Xavi, Iniesta and his other Barcelona team mates."

Juninho further mentioned that the Brazilians would give a warm welcome to the Argentinean at the World Cup except when he comes up against the Seleção.

"Brazilian people like ball players and goal scorers. If he (Lionel Messi) plays well, which he should, he will obviously be liked. However he will be less liked when he comes up against our national team!" he signed off.

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